Publisher returns fire following Worlds' own patent suit in March

Activision Blizzard has filed suit against Worlds Inc. on the grounds of patent infringement.

The suit claims that Worlds Inc., a specialist in creating 3D virtual spaces, has violated two Activision patents in its product, World Player. Both patents relate to the navigation of 3D spaces and interaction with objects therein - integral qualities to the products of both companies.

Activision is taking legal action through the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. However, it is already engaged in the legal process with Worlds Inc. in the District of Massachusetts, the latter having filed suit against Activision on March 30 this year.

Indeed, the charges brought against Activision by Worlds Inc. also relate to patent violations, and patents dealing with very similar technologies to those in the suit filed this weekend.

"Technologies created by Worlds have helped the businesses of virtual worlds gaming and the sale of virtual goods to grow into a multi-billion dollar industry," Thom Kidrin, Worlds Inc. CEO, said at the time. "While we are pleased to see that the gaming industry and its rapidly growing customer base have enthusiastically embraced our patented technologies, we deserve fair compensation for their use."

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